Analysis of the Relationships in Odyssey by Homer - Essay Example

Relationships in Odyssey Family plays a central role in Homers epic poem, the Odyssey. Almost every event within the story supports the idea of a strong, well-balanced, loyal and dedicated family. These families are essential for the appropriate functioning of society. In the story, there are many examples of good families that prosper, enabling their associated kingdoms to also prosper, and examples of bad families in which the kingdom languishes, struggling in contention and strife. In particular, the relationships held between fathers and sons stands out as being of special importance. Several examples of father/son relationships are provided, including those of Odysseus and Telemachus, Laertes and Odysseus, Poseidon and Polyphemus, Nestor and Pisistratus, and Eupithes and Antinous. Through these relationships, Homer portrays the idea of continuity between generations as traits of the fathers are carried forward and reflected or as they are rejected and refused in the sons. By tracing the relationships between fathers and sons through Odysseus and Telemachus and others, Homer shows how the continuity of traits and characteristics between generations can help a family or society succeed or bring it to ruin. Odysseus and Telemachus have an absent relationship, yet the traits of the father can still be recognized in the activities and thoughts of the son. Odysseus embodies the traditional Greek values of hospitality, good manners, loyalty, intelligence and patience. However, without his father’s influence, Telemachus instead demonstrates an inability to manage his houseguests and awkwardness in cultured manners when he arrives in Pylos at the beginning of the tale. His contacts with first Nestor and then Menelaus provide him with the examples he needs of a healthy father/son relationship as well as the example these leaders set in being a “father figure” to their kingdoms, which leads both the society and the family to thrive and grow. Telemachus’ acceptance into Nestor’s household and gaining Peisistratus as a friend of equal rank helps ease his way into the palace of Menelaus, further bolstering his confidence. This journey undertaken by Telemachus is very similar in form to the journey undertaken by Odysseus later in the story, with the purpose of giving him the heroic experience he needs to stand by his father’s side when they are finally reunited. Becoming a replica of his father, Telemachus is now prepared to stand by his father’s side in outwitting and outfighting the unwanted suitors, helping to bring about the peace and prosperity Ithaca has longed for and demonstrating how continuity between the generations has led to success. In encountering Nestor and his son Pisistratus, Telemachus is provided with a shining example of a healthy father and son relationship, even to the point of being included in the circle of family during his visit. Pisistratus, having had the benefit of experience and falling to the same age range as Telemachus, is able to provide an appropriate model for Telemachus as to how a respectful and well-loved son should behave in a kingly court. Likewise, Nestor is quick to accept Telemachus into the household, providing him honored places at the table for feasts honoring the gods, speaking lovingly of the deeds of his own sons, having his daughter provide Telemachus with a bath and generally providing the much-needed father figure Telemachus has been lacking. That Pisistratus offers Athena, disguised as Mentor, a drink before he offers one to Telemachus indicates he has been raised to respect the wise first and social rank second. This is an ideal that finds Athena’s approval and helps to illustrate appropriate relational connections within a healthy environment for Telemachus even as it serves to demonstrate continuity in both father and son’s recognition of status in the figure of Athena and their readiness to honor it, paying great attention to manners in the process. The relationship between Odysseus and Laertes demonstrates the same kind of love and loyalty that is shown in the relationship between Telemachus and Odysseus, emphasizing the importance of continuity between generations as a key to success. Not much is known of this relationship until near the end of the story. Like the relationship of Telemachus and Odysseus, this connection is demonstrated through the similarities in characteristics. Through the course of the story, it becomes evident that Laertes lacked the strength and vitality necessary to rule Ithaca without the strength and vitality of his own son as a constant presence. When he tries to hide his identity from his father, Odysseus is unable to finish his story because of the great sorrow in his fathers eyes. This shows how much he loves his father and realizes what great suffering he caused him. This anguish that Laertes exhibits also shows how much love he has for his son. This reunification enables Laertes to undergo a transformation through which he regains some of the strength and vitality he once had. “Athena herself intervened to increase his royal stature. As he stepped out of the bath she made him seem taller and sturdier than before, so that his own son was amazed when he saw him looking like an immortal god” (Homer, 368-71). However, continuity between the generations does not always work to the benefit of the family as can be seen in the relationship between Eupithes and Antinous. It is Antinous who threatens Telemachus to force Penelope to marry one of the suitors or the group of them will ruin the house. He further demonstrates his debased nature by refusing Odysseus himself, posing as an old beggar man, a crust of bread, throwing a footstool at him to chase him away and hitting him on the back and making the other suitors nervous because of his unheroic behavior. Odysseus kills him later with a single arrow through the throat in much the same way that Odysseus’ father Laertes will later kill Antinous’ father Eupithes with a spear thrust through the helmet. That Antinous’ behavior is a reflection of his father’s behavior is traced through the father’s actions following the news of Antinous’ death at the hands of Odysseus. Rather than recognizing that his son behaved in an unheroic manner and therefore deserved to die, or that Odysseus was acting within his rights to protect his family and property, Eupithes declares he will have revenge and goes to battle Odysseus, Laertes and Telemachus. However, now united, the family of honor cannot be defeated. With the collapse of Eupithes, the fight stops and the parties agree to depart in peace. Throughout this epic poem, the importance of the father/son relationship and the continuity of generations is stressed as being key elements in the success or failure of a family and, by extension, the society. Without a father, Telemachus is unable to assert himself or to have any concept of a true hero’s honor. His travels introduce him to Nestor and Pisistratus, who provide just the example he needs in order to begin to prepare for the defense of his home and to take his proper place beside his father. This experience also provides him with a role model for the appropriate behavior for one of his particular station within a healthy family and provides him with a sense of an appropriate father figure in the form of Nestor as he honors the gods and loves his family. That such a relationship once existed between Odysseus and Laertes is also evident as they are reunited, Laertes receives his transformation and the pair of them trace through the various aspects of life on Ithaca that reassert Odysseus’ identity. At the same time, negative relationships also lead to negative consequences for the family as a whole. Despite Antinous’ willful destruction of Odysseus’ property and family and profound unheroic behavior in how he treats visitors to Odysseus’ home, Eupithes still finds it necessary to seek vengeance for the death of his son. Throughout the epic, Homer seems to be indicating the importance of family to bind the generations together, make the family strong and to uphold honor and righteousness within the community because those families that don’t are not able to have healthy family relationships nor are they permitted by the gods to have significant success in life. Works Cited Homer. The Odyssey. Trans. E.V. Rieu. New York: Penguin Books, 1946. Read More